How to Personalize an Obituary

By: John W. Moles

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Writing an obituary for your loved one can be a challenging task considering the short amount of space. Making it a true reflection of how much your loved one meant to you and communicating that in the right way, can be tough to fit into a few short paragraphs. The most important factor is to keep it lively by focussing on their life rather than the death itself.

Here is the main checklist of what every obituary includes:

Name of the deceased

Where they were born, grew up, and their hometown at the time of the death

Cause of death (Depending on the comfortability of the family sharing this detail)

Any donation or memorial fund information

Their life and profession

Location, time, and name of funeral home the service will be held

Here are some tips on personalizing an obituary:

Describe them: The point of an obituary is to inspire those left behind and give them a true and meaningful reflection of the deceased. You want to focus on the life they shared and lived with their family and close friends. Make it significant by explaining who and what this person believed in and loved.

Characterize: Show character by adding in some humor for a sense of life and celebration of the deceased honor, is also a good way to remember the positive side and traits. Talk about their hobbies and unique traits that made them who they are. Were they always making jokes? Or maybe they were quiet but had the funniest stories?

Illustrate Personality: Using specific examples and stories that can illustrate a picture in the audience’s head can help to really connect who the deceased was to the people. For example, instead of saying, “My mom was always her kids through the tough times.” You could explain a time she was really there for you and how that impacted you and helped you move forward.

What did they mean to you? : Talk about what made the deceased unique and how much they meant to you. This can be one of the most difficult parts to write because it evokes emotions and memories. Speak from the heart and let those emotions seep through your pen. This is not only the best way to connect the deceased to the people but also therapeutic to you in your grieving process.

If you have any further questions about writing an obituary, you can contact, Moles Farewell Tributes, here.